Spring-ish
A little of this, and a little of that.
Welcome to Chapters & Crumbs. Crumbs are often associated with the small, delightful remnants of something delicious, like all of my favorite things- cookies, cakes, and bread. I hope to keep sharing the little delightful crumbs of the internet, books, my brain, and life.
As a lover of books, I wanted to have a *little* space to talk about them. My own little corner dedicated to doing what I love doing— talking nonsense. Here it is. Stay a while.
Welcome March.
The *vibes* I am cultivating in the next few weeks.
In just a few days, the sun will be setting after seven, and thank God for that. Some of us haven’t stopped sneezing since March 1st, but man, it feels like we’re finally out of the woods on winter 2025, or for some of us, winter 2025— the start of the apocalypse.
Spring showers are on the horizon for us, but the sky here is looking a little extra blue these days. Suddenly, life is worth livinggggg. How are you doing?
I’ve been reading a lot about living seasonally, and allowing yourself to be a part of the ‘cycle’ of seasons. I lean into this very heavily in the winter. Allowing my body time to rest and indulging in meals that will not only comfort, but also give me the proper nutrients needed for the season. In winter, citrus is in season, which is beautiful because flu season takes no prisoners, and building up my immune system is key with vitamin c. There’s a lot that nature can teach us if we listen.
In the spring, asparagus, peas, strawberries, and leafy greens are in harvest. Bright, crisp, delicious, and most importantly—sweet! A siren song pulling us from winter’s solitude. What a gift! I’m suddenly craving vegetables. I want to make a quiche or a tart. I want strawberry shortcake and pies. I feel alive again.
So, as the season is changing, the clocks springing forward, I am slowly crawling out of my hermit shell. I am going on walks, embracing the curious nature of new experiences, and indulging in foods that will bring a little zest and give me new life and energy.
Here’s what I’m leaning into as March makes it’s grand entrance:
Cleaning! It’s so cliche, but a spring clean will get your energy up, and decluttering is scientifically proven in resulting more positive emotions and happiness. Marie Kondo knew what she was talking about.
Make your way to The Trader of Joes, and buy yourself some flowers. It’s impossible to bloom all year, flowers teach us this, so reward yourself with a little treat and reap the benefits of seeing something beautiful everyday.
Stepping into the light can be scary, don’t I know this. However, going outside, taking a walk, and feeling grass under your toes is grounding and so pivotal for those of us lacking in vitamin d. Hell, it might even make you cry. You should do it anyway!
Embrace the food! Nourish yourself with some greens, add some berries into your salad. Do anything that will bring some light and brightness to your day.
I’ll leave the books for next week, but you can only guess what I will recommend! ;) Let’s chat about what I’ve been reading!
The Strawberry Patch Pancake House by Laurie Gilmore
This book will be available on March 13th!
The fourth book in the Dream Harbor series follows Archer, a celebrated chef and single dad, as he relocates to a charming small town to live with his daughter, Olive. Taking a job at the local pancake house, he crosses paths with Iris, who is currently looking for a new job. When she agrees to be Olive’s nanny, she insists their arrangement will remain strictly professional. Um, I think I’ve seen this film before!
Judging by the title alone, this is not a literary masterpiece. With these books you have to take them for what they are: fun romance! I actually really enjoyed this. The title is so perfect and encompasses all the things I love: pancakes, small-town romance, and strawberries. I loved Archer, Iris and Olive, and the ease of their relationship. The slow build and connection between Archer and Olive was so sweet. There was just enough cheese and romance to keep things light. The strawberry festival, farmer’s market trips, and town meetings a la Gilmore Girls was just adorable. This is the perfect book for spring.
The Sirens by Emilia Hart
This book will be available on April 1st!
The Sirens unfolds across two timelines, following two sets of sisters: Lucy and Jess in 2019, and Mary and Eliza in 1800.
In 2019, Lucy flees to the coast of New South Wales, desperate for answers about her haunting dreams and the violent, inexplicable attack on her ex-boyfriend. She hopes her sister, Jess, can help—but Jess is missing. As Lucy waits for her return, she becomes entangled in eerie local legends: men vanishing without a trace, an abandoned baby found in a cave, and whispers of women’s voices rising from the waves.
In 1800, Mary and Eliza are torn from their home in Ireland and sentenced to a convict ship bound for Australia. As the voyage drags them farther from everything they know, they begin to notice unsettling changes in their bodies—transformations they cannot explain.
I really enjoyed this, but not as much as Weyward. The writing was fantastic and engaging. I enjoyed all the point of views and living through the lives of Jess, Lucy, Mary, and Eliza. Some parts dragged for me, but I was invested enough in the characters' lives to keep going. I thoroughly enjoyed learning all about the history of NSW and Australia. The magical realism/fantasy aspect of the book really surprised me, and I wish we got more of it in the end. Emilia really shines in writing stories about the female experience, leaving me stunned, enraged, and pondering about women in history who were persecuted and wrongly accused.
Currently listening:
The perfect playlist that feels whimsical—like you’re running through an enchanted forest.
Thank you for reading! Catch me in the streets making content!
(TikTok, Goodreads, Instagram)